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Who Runs Your Program

In this section, you will learn how to better understand who runs your program, and whether it is closely connected with your U.S. home university. Before deciding on a study abroad program in Hungary, it's important to identify what kind of relationship your U.S. College or University has with your study abroad program; essentially, you want to know who is "in charge," and who will help you if you need assistance.

There are five general types of study abroad program sponsors, which can be classified by the kind of relationship your U.S. home institution's staff has with a program's international staff. This can help you determine how much communication goes on between U.S. staff and abroad staff; does each party know what the other party is doing?

1. Five Types of Program Sponsors

Home University Owned and Operated: A U.S. college or university usually operates facilities and programs in Hungary as if they were extensions of its U.S. campus. It employs some or all of a program's academic/administrative staff in Hungary and owns, leases, controls or operates some or all of a program facilities and operations in Hungary. Staff and facilities in Hungary vary greatly from a one–person office to a comprehensive campus.

Home University Partnerships: A study abroad program is a result of a cooperative arrangement or agreement between a U.S. college or university and one or more educational institutions or organizations in Hungary. This allows a U.S. university to send its students on programs owned and operated by a U.S. or a foreign college, university or independent program provider.

Independent Student: Students find and enroll in programs independent of their college or university. In some cases, students will remain enrolled at their U.S. home campus, using their financial aid. In other cases, students will be required to take a leave of absence. Upon return, students may or may not receive credit for study completed in Hungary.

Individual Faculty/Staff Travel Study Program: An individual faculty or staff member from a U.S. home campus, who has no permanent office in Hungary, accompanies a group of students for many of the short term and summer programs offered.

Hybrid Programs: Many study abroad programs are mixtures of the four previously mentioned types of programs. For example, your home university may have an administrative office in Hungary, but a Hungarian institution may offer courses and housing, and an independent program provider may arrange excursions.

2. Four Types of On–Site Program Providers

The program sponsors listed above, may provide on–site program administration in Hungary through four types of program providers:

Foreign University Programs: Students directly enroll in the courses offered by a Hungarian college or university. Hungarian colleges and universities offer varying levels of services and support.

U.S. University Abroad: Students can enroll in other U.S. universities' programs in Hungary with which their U.S. home university has a formal agreement.

Independent Program Providers: Many study abroad providers are neither colleges nor universities, but are solely in the business of providing study abroad programs. Programs vary from well–staffed organizations with offices in the United States and Hungary to a one–person office anywhere in the world.

Hybrid Program Providers: Many study abroad program providers are mixtures of the three previously mentioned types of program providers. For instance, your U.S. college or university may have an administrative office in Hungary, while courses and housing may be offered by a Hungarian college or university, and excursions may be arranged by an independent program provider.

After you understand who runs your study abroad program in Hungary and whether it is closely connected with your U.S. home university, the next step should involve a review of whether the level of support services both in the United States and in Hungary will meet your needs. Remember that there is no national organization that regulates the quality and certifies any minimum standard for study abroad programs. For this reason, it would be wise to take an active role in evaluating a program prior to participating in it. It is important to look at the many types of activities provided by your program.

3. Activities Include

Excursions/Field Trips

Travel/Transportation

Classes

Housing

Counseling (if provided)/Student Services/Health Office

Academic Advisement for classes

4. Contracts and Obligations

Participation in a study abroad program very likely will involve contracts. You, and maybe your parents, will have to read through and sign a number of important documents. Some of these documents might limit a program's responsibility or liability in the case you are injured in Hungary, other contracts might hold you responsible for certain behavior, still other contracts may require you to release personal information. Read everything before you sign. If you have to, re–read everything, have your parents read everything, or have your lawyer read everything before you sign anything. Don't let anyone pressure you into signing an agreement that confuses you, or one you don't understand. Ask study abroad administrators to explain exactly what they are having you sign, what it means, and what happens if you don't want to sign. Know your rights and take time to think about any possible consequences
of signing or not signing. Among other things, think about the following when deciding to sign or not sign a contract:

By signing, what are you agreeing to do/not do?

What rights do you gain/give up?

Does the contract protect you or your program sponsor?

Is the contract legally sound?

Can the contract be broken after you have signed?

5. Relevant Questions

What are the main differences among the five general types of program sponsors?

Can you identify which one of the five general types of program sponsors your program has and why you prefer that type of program?

What kind of relationship does your home college/university have with the study abroad program in the country of your choice?

How long has the program been in existence (a new program doesn't necessarily mean a bad program)?

What is the program's current financial situation?

6. Checklist

I have asked my program's administrators how closely my U.S. home college/university will be working with my program coordinators in the country of your choice.

I know which of the five types of program sponsors runs my study abroad program.

I am aware of what kind of facilities my program has in the country of your choice (i.e. a one person office versus a comprehensive campus).

I know whether I will be enrolled in a foreign university, a U.S. university or an independent program in the country of your choice.

I understand what services and activities will and will not be provided for me by my program.